The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-23
COMMISSIONERS EDGERroN.

| Further Elaboration of His Views ~ to Polit-
ical Rights OF Government Employees.
WASHINGTON, Oct 22.-Civil- service Commits
| sioner Edgerton. during an interview had with
| him by an Associated Press reporter, yesterday.
was asked if, in his opinion. government clerks
and other employees had right. UNABRIDGED by
the civil.service laws, to associate themselves
together as . society association for the pur-
pose Of advancing the interests OF any political
party, and whether such society or association
have a right to assess its members or to receive
from them. directly or indirectly, contributions
for political purposes.
'Unquestionably they have that right" re-
piled Mr.. Edgerton; ''when . person has success
fully passed a civilservice examination, and has
been duly certified and permanently appointed
to the classified service. there the authority Of
the commission ceases. and his action thereafter
is controlled by the appointing power. From
that nom ent his action is outside OF the control
authority. in1u ence or power Of the Civilservise
Commissioners. He IL entirely outside Of their
jurisdiction"
'.But," auerisd the reporter. 'is not tho COM
mission charged with tho enforcement of the
civil-service law. and does not that law prohibit
such contributions Section Is Of the act Of
Jan. l6. 1885, says that No officer. clerk or
shall, directly or indirectly, give or hand over
to any other officer, clerk person in the service
of the United States or to any Senator or member
Of the House Of Representatives or Territorial
Delegate, any money other valuable thing on
account of, or to be applied to the prom otion Of
any political object whatever Is mos the
Civil-servce Commission responsible for the
enforcement OF that law in its letter and spirit"
Certainly it 10, said Mr.. Edgerton, 'but that
law has nothing to do with individuals outside
of their Offices official positions. Nothing il
said about associations The commission is not
licensed q detective association, clothed
with it's functions or authority"
"Ex-Commlssioners Eaton and Gregory, in q
letter to the President dated Oct Is, 1885, state
has authority concerning the enforcement OF
the criminal provisions Of the civil-service act
The President, in his circular letter of July IA.
1856. to heads of departments, says that individ-
ual interest and activity in political affairs
by means condemned. Office holders are
neither disfranchised nor forbidden tho exercise
not enlarged nor is their duty to party increased
to pernicious activity by ofice-hoding' Can
anything be palmer in its meaning than thats'
anywhere in that letter. intimate that = clark
must become political mute2 No, sir; it is per-
nicious activity. it is tho brawing offeneiveness
that the President condemns, as do all right
thinking men: bnt an honest effort in the inter
est OF the party ia whose principles he believes.
is commendable"
'.What are your views in regard to Mr..
Oberly's recent order that members Of any po-
litical committee or association, any one en-
gagged in the work Of promoting the interests Of
any political party shall not DO eligible for APP
poinsm bos-ds Of civil service examinersis
was asked.
II think such sr 10 not justified by the
law any order MADE by the President. It in.
wolves political inquiry by the commission, a
right or privilege denied to it by the law" was
the reply. ..He might as well order that any
man belonging to ap~- rticulAr religious society
shall be nelgib appointment on such
boards. No. sir" continued, ''al Of this 10
outside the jurist n Of the Civii-service Com.
mission thoroughly believe in an honest in.
depreciation of the civil-servce law believe in
enforcing that law in the manor Congress in
tended to have it enforced, but do not believe
10 strainne after something. nobody knows
what, for political or personal effect and be-
ievo that the President and three -fourths Of the
Democratic party will sustain my position"